Metal box having trays mounted on swingable linkage



M. L. ROARK METAL BOX HAVING TRAYS MOUNTED Filed Oct. 21, 1946 ONSWINGABLE LINKAGE Nov. 15, 1949 INVENTOR, {VLD Roark,

ATTORNEY- Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL BOXHAVING TRAYS MOUNTED ON SWINGABLE LINKAGE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to boxes of the type disclosed in Letters PatentsNo. 303,783 issued August 19, 1884, No. 1,766,553 issued June 24, 1930,No. 1,858,539 issued May 17, 1932, No. 1,882,756 issued October 18, 1932and No. 1,925,409 issued Septemher 5, 1933.

Tool boxes of the type mentioned employ a two part box, the top andbottom parts of which are hinged together; two or more trays are mountedin the box in superposed relation and are so connected with the top andbottom sections of the box, that when the box is opened the trays willautomatically be raised and arranged step fashion.

In the raising and lowering operation the trays do not always movesmoothly but wobble (especially when the pivot joints of the linkageemployed become worn or are loose) also the opening and closing actionis often quite noisy due to parts striking together as the trays get outof line.

It is to overcome in a simple, yet effective way, the objections abovenoted and render the operation of the box, in opening and closing,smooth and as noiseless as possible by preventing the trays from fallingout of line, that my invention has been made.

To the attainment of the foregoing objects invention resides in thenovel construction and combination of parts hereinafter first describedin detail and then specifically pointed out in the appended claim,reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is one end elevation of a box embodying my invention, the partsbeing in the open position.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the other end of the box with the parts in thepartly closed position, the closing movement being in the direction ofthe arrow.

Fig. 3 is a detail top plan view of the box in the open position showingthe same at said other end.

In the drawing in which like numerals of reference indicate like partsin all the figures, I represents the bottom section of the box and 2 thetop section. The sections I and 2 are hinged together as at 3 and havethe usual fastening devices l9 and the top has the usual handle 20.

The trays are indicated by 4 and 5 and they are linked together by linksor levers I and 8. The tray 4 is also linked to the bottom section I 2by the links 1 and links 6 while the tray 4 is linked to the top section2 by links 9.

l3 and M designate respectively the pivots of the links 6 and 1 to thebottom section 'I of the box, and I8 designates the pivot of the links 9to the top 2. The links 6 and 'l are pivoted at .H! and !5 respectivelyto the tray 4 While links I and 8 are respectively pivoted at H and I!to the .tray 5.

The pivots l0 and II are swiveling pivots to which coil springs l2 areanchored as shown. By connecting the front pivots of the trays 4 and 5by coil springs 12 (one at either end of the trays) I find that theobjects of my invention are accomplished satisfactorily, the trays stayin line in both opening and closing and do not assume a jerky actionduring their movements but operate smoothly and quietly.

From the foregoing description it is thought the construction, operationand advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in theart.

What I claim is:

In a two part box having a bottom section and a top section; at leasttwo superposed trays within said box; a pair of parallel links pivotedto each end of and connecting the trays and pivoted inside of and to thebottom section of the box to hold the bottom tr-ay substantiallyparallel to the bottom of the box, one link of each pair being pivotedto the tray next above the first mentioned tray; a third parallel linkat each end pivoted to the two trays; links pivotally connecting eachend of the first mentioned tray to the top section of the box, combinedwith a tension spring at each end of the trays connected respectively tothe adjacent first and second mentioned trays at their respective frontlink pivots to keep them in line While opening and closing the box.

MARTIN LUTHER ROARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 727,126 Gramelspacher May 5, 19031,893,526 Shriver Jan. 10, 1933 2,191,066 Barber Feb. 20, 1940 ,35 ,561Davis Sept. 19, 1944

